Radio

Retirement in Athletes with the OFF THE BALL Saturday panel

Former Olympic rower Niall O’Tool and former inter-county hurlers Eoin Kelly (Tipperary) and Tong Og Regan (Galway) join Ger Gilroy in the Off The Ball studio to discuss the difficulties that athletes can encounter when they make their transition from the sport which has consumed their life.

Injury forces Munster and Ireland hooker Damien Varley to retire

Munster and Ireland hooker Damien Varley has announced his retirement from rugby due to injury. Speaking towww.rte.ie he said “Like so many before me I will look back at my time in Munster with immense pride and fondness, not only for the sport, but for the people that I have played with, worked with and the friendships I have made”. In this interview Damien talks about the shock and numbness feeling he got when hearing the news that he would be forced to retire from the game he loves, however he is looking forward to the new challenges ahead.

Laois gaelic footballer and former Celtic soccer player Paul Cahillane

Paul Cahillane talks about his time at Celtic Football Club, challenges young footballers can encounter if they are released by clubs, education received while being a professional footballer. He also discusses adjusting to junior football, his basketball debut and wanting to land another Leinster title with Portlaoise. Interview was on www.midlandsradio.fm

Former Ireland & Munster rugby player David Corkery

David Corkery – Former Munster and Irish Rugby Player reveals that a “chance encounter” effectively saved his own life – Picture by www.independent.ie

Former Ireland & Munster rugby player David Corkery joined theRTE John Murray Radio Show to discuss how the effects of retirement and the death of his father by suicide caused he fell into a “very deep, dark hole” that crippled him emotionally.

The situation at one point led to the one-time Munster star suddenly finding himself unemployed as the sport moved from the amateur to professional era. He was on the dole and believing he had “no reason to live”. The ex-Ireland and Munster rugby star has urged the public to reach out to anyone suffering from depression — after revealing a “chance encounter” effectively saved his own life. Please click link below for full powerful and hard hitting honest interview.

Interview with Irish Athlete Martin Fagan

Irish Athlete Martin Fagan – Picture by www.therunningreview.com

Martin Fagan on his hopes for the future after he’s ban from Athletics ends. Plus he also discusses the dark times and depression her suffered during the lead up to the London 2012 Olympic Games which unfortunately he never got to witness due to him facing suspension for doping offence. He admitted taking an performance enhancing drug in his quest for Olympic qualification but described how deep down he had a lot of underlining problems mentally with depression being the biggest crippling culprit.

Family’s insight into illness captivates nation on RTE

AN EMOTIONAL AND HONEST JOURNEY WITH DEPRESSION

“Living with depression doesn’t just affect the person who has it – everyone around them lives with it too” – Picture by www.independent.ie

It may not be sport related but I remember hearing this a few years ago and it really had a powerful impact towards how devastating a disease such as depression is on a whole family. As will as crippling the person that has it, ever one around them lives with it two.

The Irish Independent did a lovely and very powerful right up so please find snippets of this article below –

“A Dundalk family’s emotional and honest insight into the devastating impact of depression has captivated the nation”

The brainchild of documentary maker Conor McGinnity, whose father Peter bravely spoke about his illness, the documentary was so widely listened to, RTE replayed it on the Joe Duffy’s ‘Liveline’ show.

Loyola McGinnity told the Argus that the family have been ‘ moved and shocked’ by the huge outpouring of sympathy from across the country to her husband’s moving story, and how it has impacted on their entire family.

‘This is a personal story that we have been shocked in many ways has led to so much publicity. But at that same time, we feel it is important to speak out about the ignorance and prejudice that we have been faced with.’

She spoke about the need for people to ‘challenge their views on depression’ and to realise that people suffering from the illness ‘deserve as much respect as someone suffering from any other illness.’

‘The reality is that there are no cards for depression. It isn’t discussed. It’s a taboo subject. You find that when you open up about it that people don’t know what to say.’

Loyola added: ‘ But we as a society need to address that, especially as the rate of suicide is reaching crisis point. Why should anyone be ashamed or embarrassed to talk about depression? We must be prepared to challenge our views, and treat people who have depression with compassion and understanding.’

She said that the worst factor about a member of their family suffering from depression was isolation.

‘The isolation was definitely the worst part. Above any illness, I don’t think they {a person with depression} should be isolated.’

Since the documentary was broadcast, Loyola said there has been a ‘ huge outpouring of support’ and she was grateful especially for the support of Colaiste Ris, where her children attend school.

Conor, who acted as producer and narrator of the documentary on his dad’s illness, added ‘In many way’s we are a happy family, but we live in the shadow of my dad’s depression. It’s an unpredictable illness.’

Full link to report on www.independent.ie can be found by clicking on the following link –